TAMPA, FL – June 15, 2016 – On June 7, 2016, GrayRobinson’s Tampa law office held a Community Leader Forum featuring Rob Higgins, Executive Director of the Tampa Bay Sports Commission. Attorney Frederick Schrils, shareholder in the Tampa office, introduced Mr. Higgins at the luncheon held at the University Club in downtown, Tampa. Higgins spoke about Tampa’s sports climate, recently held events, and upcoming plans and events.
In June of 2004, the Tampa Bay Sports Commission named Rob Higgins as its Executive Director. Higgins primary responsibility is to promote the development of community sports in the Tampa Bay area, as well as leading the Sports Commission as the principal organization that bids on and hosts sports and entertainment events in Tampa Bay and Hillsborough County.
In the nearly 12 years Higgins has held his position, Tampa Bay has successfully hosted and/or been awarded the following events: 2007 ACC Men’s Basketball Tournament, 2008 NCAA Men’s Basketball First and Second Rounds, 2008 NCAA Women’s Final Four, 2008 and 2009 ACC Football Championships, 2009 SEC Men’s Basketball Tournament, 2009 NCAA Women’s Volleyball Championship, 2011 NCAA Men’s Basketball Second and Third Rounds, 2012 NCAA Men’s Frozen Four, 2015 NCAA Women’s Final Four, 2016 NCAA Men’s Frozen Four, 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship, the 2019 NCAA Women's Final Four and the 2022 SEC Men's Basketball Tournament.
Higgins served on the bid and operations committee which successfully landed and hosted the 2009 Super Bowl. He was named to Tampa Bay Business Journal’s 30 under 30 list and the Tampa Bay Times named Higgins as one of the top 10 difference makers in the Tampa Bay area.
Most recently, Higgins was named to the prestigious Street and Smith’s Sports Business Journal "Forty Under 40". He was also recognized as one of the most influential sports figureheads in the history of Tampa Bay by CBS Radio, one of the top-10 most influential people in Tampa Bay by WTSP 10 News, and Huffington Post listed Higgins one of the top-30 sports marketers in the world.
Through its Community Leader Forums, GrayRobinson brings together clients, attorneys and friends of the firm to hear high-profile business and community leaders and elected officials discuss issues of importance to the state of Florida.